Setting Sail

I only have a few hours left before I catch my shuttle into San Jose and make my way back to the states. While I've fallen in love with Dominical and the beach here I miss my family and friends back home. I don't feel I can accurately portray what's happened here but I've done my best to capture what I could with my photography. I'd like to think I'll return to Dominical, but I know there are many more adventures to be had in the other parts of the world. A full trip to Peru in the future, if not, perhaps somewhere in Southeast Asia. Only time will tell.

Now, since I'm still running on tico time I feel it's best to make a substantial post to this blog to correctly represent my frame of mind. I want to look back at this blog after I've been reaclimated to the "real" world, to remind myself of this remarkable time in my life. My time capsule in cyberspace, if you will.  

When I first arrived in Dominical I was greeted with two words, "Pura Vida", and as I continued my stay it was heard again and again. I was familiar with the term via the Envision website and had my own preconceptions about the meaning, but only after being emersed in the lifestyle here did I begin to see into the definition of the phrase.

One might think such a phrase suggests a pure and clean lifestyle, but that's not necessarily the case. Not everyone here is a yogi or eats vegan. Not everyone here is an ascended master (not yet anyway!). Most of the locals, while accustomed to visitors, don't dress in any way resembling the festival crowd. What I came to understand is that people here live life fully, being honest with their true nature and accepting others while maintaining a strong sense of community.

I was reminded of a discourse from "Zen and The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance" regarding rural life, where family, friends and overal quality of life all meld together to form a qualitive atmosphere one experiences in a place such as this.

I came here thinking I'd listen to some good music and have some time to relax. And I did, but I found so much more. All the people I met during the festival and my stay in Dominical are what made this trip worthwhile. I still find it hard to believe I've met so many intelligent, sincere, creative and genuine people. Thanks everyone, you know who you are!

Well, time to go home.